2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

Planning Commission Meeting February 15, 2005 Page 5 Phase 5: Construct the new tower which would be the neighbor to the Oakes Avenue homes. Reid Shockey, Shockey Brent, Inc., 2716 Colby Avenue, stated that he was the planning and permitting consultant for PEMC on this project. He was privileged to serve 17 years on the PEMC board and served on the long range planning committee for the board. He explained that as each phase is implemented the specific construction project would be brought to the City for its own review against the master plan. There will be a SEPA review conducted of each phase of construction. SEPA review requires public notice providing additional opportunity to comment on each phase. Mr. Shockey stated that the proposal is consistent with the growth management act, consistent with the 1994 comprehensive plan, and the changed conditions that prompt PEMC's request for a planned amendment. Mr. Shockey stated that there were decisions made in the past that had lead up to PEMC's current request. He felt that the request was entirely consistent with a 25 -year history with the City's Planning Commission, City Council, and Historical Commission. In 1986, the Comprehensive Plan was amended to allow hospital uses on the campus and in 1988, a Special Property Use permit was issued for the Wetmore block. He highlighted an excerpt from the SPU decision finding that the hospital was a necessary public service and that it was recognized that additional services would be necessary to meet future demands in the health care system. Two years earlier when the hospital designation was approved, City Council stated that Block 248 would not be designated for hospital use until a master plan was completed. The City Council did not say that Block 248 would never be used for a hospital. He felt that as early as 1986, a clear tone was set for discussions between the hospital and the community on where future expansion would occur. None of the decisions 17 years ago precluded expansion to block 248. Future expansion was anticipated. In 1998, City Council passed a resolution designating the Donovan District as a historic neighborhood. Up until 1998, the hospital had done all of its planning to that time based on what it felt were instructions a decade or more earlier to base future growth on a master plan and to make its case for growth. The growth needs of the medical center in 1998 did not warrant presentation of either a master plan or a request for expansion but because the Donovan District at that time was being proposed for creation the hospital felt that it needed to make its feelings known. This is testimony before the Historical Commission in 1998 by one of the chief officers of PEMC "hospital officials testified to the Historical Commission in 1998 reminding them of what the comprehensive plan was saying and what actions had been taken by the hospital as a result." As providence indicated they supported the Donovan District but had already purchased 17 homes in block 248 based on past discussions with the City and the community. The response from the Historical Commission was that the hospital should not worry that when a master plan was developed, the issue could be revisited. The hospital was concerned that the intent of the Historical Commission would be forgotten but moved forward as one Historical Commission member said "that the hospital would be treated well once a master plan was created." To insure no misunderstanding, Providence requested clarification from City Council when it took the Donovan District creation under advisement. Providence testified to the City Council that the Historical Commission had indicated that the historical designation' would not have an effect on future expansion plans. Again it was stated that development by the hospital would not be precluded by Donovan District designation. The hospital was reminded that a master plan was still required. Mr. Shockey reiterated that decisions had been made over the past two decades sending a clear message about how to proceed with the hospital master planning. PEMC feels that there is a significant history of assurances that the hospital is proceeding according to the Comprehensive Plan and the wishes of the community.